BTS Boycotts Grammys Over New Awards Category
Following the Grammys’ decision to add a new category for Best Asian Pop Music Performance, the immensely popular K-pop boy group opted out of submitting any entries to the awards ceremony.
Courtesy of @bts.bighitofficial
Courtesy of @bts.bighitofficial
South Korean boy band BTS announced that the group will not be submitting any entries for the upcoming 69th Grammy Awards, which will be held on February 7, 2027.
Each member of the boy group — Jin, Jimin, Jung Kook, RM, V, j-hope, and Suga — coordinated the announcement on their social media accounts via Instagram stories. The members’ translated posts all stated: “We have decided not to enter the Grammys this year. I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.”
The boy group’s message was done in response to the announcement that the Grammy Awards would be adding a new category for “Best Asian Pop Music Performance.” The new category sparked debate about the inclusivity of music coming from other regions, as it would sideline significant Asian musical acts from the Grammys’ major categories.
Following the release of their comeback album, ARIRANG, speculation was made that the boy band’s new release would earn recognition in the annual music awards ceremony. The album garnered critical acclaim worldwide, with “NORMAL” even re-entering the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 chart.
In response to the boy group’s boycott, Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr. released a statement through the Grammys social media stating that he was “saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year.” This was followed by an acknowledgement of understanding and respect for their decision.
“The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diversity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia.” Mason further stated. “The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists.”
Mason also clarified that “submitting music in a genre category such as Asian Pop, or Jazz or Country does not exclude an artist from also submitting and being considered in the General Field categories, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year.”
Frequently Asked Questions
BTS announced they will not submit entries for the 69th Grammy Awards, citing concern that a new Asian Pop category could sideline Asian artists from the show’s major categories.
It’s a new Grammy category announced for 2027 recognizing pop artistry from Asia, created alongside the Grammys’ other genre-specific fields like Jazz and Country.
All seven members — Jin, Jimin, Jung Kook, RM, V, j-hope, and Suga — posted matching statements on Instagram stories, expressing hope that music can be judged without regional division.
Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said he was saddened by BTS’s decision, clarifying that the Asian Pop category doesn’t bar artists from General Field categories.
BTS’s comeback album ARIRANG earned global critical acclaim, with the single “NORMAL” re-entering the Billboard Philippines Hot 100, fueling speculation about a possible Grammy nomination.